Bruno is the son of an international banker, Paulo, and an actress, Thania. Although born in Rio de Janeiro, he grew up Brazil, Toronto, Bahrain, and Houston. He has three sisters - Mara, age 33 (in 1999); Adriana, age 32; and Mariana, age 21. At age 14, he attended Michigan's Interlochen Arts Acadamey. He then studied drama at Northwestern University. He got his acting break by returning to Brazil, where he starred in the 1996 film Quatrilho, O (1995) which was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Picture.